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| 3D Satellite, 75+ photos |
The 1,128-foot building is now Chicago's fourth tallest and the eight tallest in US. The first three flours must be retail and lobby because floors 4-12 are the garage and floors 13-41 is about 908,000 sq. ft. of office space. The remaining floors of the 100 story building are condos except for a restaurant, observatories and broadcast equipment in the very highest floors. (From 95 on up from what I can gather.) The antennas increase the height to 1500'.
[Tribune, Widipedia]
The observatory has already been renamed 360 Chicago.
I remember reading soon after it was opened that the residents on the upper floors complained about noticing the building moving during high winds. Some had noticed ripples and/or sloshing in the water in their toilet bowl! A recording of the sound on a windy day sounds like a rocking chair with about a 3-4 second period. "There was a show on tv about living in Chicago's John Hancock Building, some years back. The people they interviewed about the swaying said that while they never actually felt it, it was a little disheartining to sit on the couch and watch the pictures on the wall swing back and forth." [city-data, virangos] Architects have since learned how to design in dampening equipment such as pendulums that span multiple stories at the top. Since the above linked sound recording was made in 2015, it sounds like the residents of this building still need "sea legs."
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| SkyScraperCenter, this page also has several photos |
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| Seafoodsta posted The John Hancock building standing tall. Dan Schmidt: On the east side ! |
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| Ken Damrau posted Robert Micknius It started construction in 1965 and opened in 1969. Howard Scott Wallin When my boss moved in, I set up the hi-fi. I found that it wouldn't function as long they were broadcasting. Which meant no music until after 2. So much for that. |
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| James Leighton posted Hancock Tower under construction 1968 (?) Jim Doyle: Palmolive Bldg. With the Lindbergh Beacon, directly behind (to the north). The beacon had to be shielded with a blinder, so as not to blind the residents inside the Hancock. Elin B Papciak posted John Hancock Center under construction in 1968. Joe Valaitis shared Big John |
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| Randy Volz commented on James' post The building was completed in 1969 and the photo below was taken in early August 1967, so 1968 for the one above would make sense. |
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| Beer drinking, bicycle riding, Chicago photography club posted John Hancock Center under construction — c. 1968-69 Source: Suntimes |
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| John Frazier posted Patrick Haavig: It sank a bunch during construction. Serious measures needed to keep it going. John Frazier: Patrick Haavig caissons not deep enough ? Patrick Haavig: John Frazier geotechnical inconsistencies. sandy soils! onstruction of the tower was interrupted in 1967 due to a flaw in an innovative engineering method used to pour concrete in stages, that was discovered when the building was 20 stories high. The engineers were getting the same soil settlements for the 20 stories that had been built as what they had expected for the entire 99 stories. This forced the owner to stop development until the engineering problem could be resolved. |
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| Michelle Burton posted Greg Nessinger: Decades after Hancock was built, they had to retro fit it for additional supports. An architect found if the wind came from a certain direction, the building can buckle. So they added additional support inside. Chris Bland: Greg Nessinger. I think I read that the cross structures were built in as a primary support and found later that they offered no support. At that time it was just supported by its own weight. I never really fact checked this. |
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| Michael Brandt posted What a great shot of the John Hancock Building under construction. |
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| Tim-Michele Spencer commented on Michelle's post Great old throwback of the John Hancock under construction. From the Chicago 360 📸 Megan Green |
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| Growing up in Chicago posted 1968 - The John Hancock "topping ceremony". Paul Jevert shared |
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| Michael Brandt posted Laying the foundation for the John Hancock Building in 1965. David Brown: I remember it as it was going to be the tallest building in Chicago so even the foundation was in the news back then. |
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| Vanished Chicago posted 1966. Construction of John Hancock Building. Bob Johnson: Were you aware there were major problems with the foundation (caisson) construction? Construction had to be for a stopped for a time and repairs made. |
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| Michael Brandt posted A cool areal shot of the John Hancock Building under construction. |
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| Chicago Beautiful posted John Hancock Building under construction, late 1960s. Donald Turner shared |
Palmolive Building
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| 3D Satellite |
In 2001, it was converted to condos and the name was changed back to the Palmolive Building.
A beacon named for the aviator Charles Lindbergh was added to the building in 1930. It rotated a full 360 degrees and was intended to help guide airplanes safely to Midway Airport.[7] The beacon beamed for several decades, and ceased operation in 1981 following complaints from residents of nearby buildings.[7] During the Palmolive Building's conversion to condominiums in the late 2000s, the beacon was modified to rotate back and forth, always pointing at the lake, so as to avoid shining light into other buildings. Subsequently, the historic beacon resumed operation.
[Wikipedia]
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| Steve Zalusky posted The Schenectady Gazette on June 20,1929 printed this article on the aerial beacon above the Palmolive building. |
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| Glen Miller posted Exterior night view of the Palmolive Building taken from across the lake, showing its lit beacon pointing toward a fountain on Lake Michigan, in Chicago, Illinois, July 11, 1939. Photographed for architects Holabird & Root and for Ross, Browne & Fleming |
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| Andrew Mateja posted A small article from November 1967 about the upcoming John Hancock Center and Lake Point Tower |
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| Gene Schuldt posted Wes Wetherell: The Palmolive Building… My dad’s office in the mid 40’s though the mid 60’s (33rd floor and more). “Warren Wetherell and Associates.” On a clear night, the rotating beacon would light up our living room on Rt 53 in Glen Ellyn! Dad took pictures from the Beacon (and he talked Mom into going up there with him!) [The Water Tower is in the left foreground and the first pumping station is in the right foreground.] I grew up in Illinois posted Looking north from Water Tower to Drake Hotel. (1950s) |
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| US City Views posted Aerial View of Michigan Avenue Chicago (1950s) An aerial view of Michigan Avenue in the 1950s showcases the bustling activity and architectural splendor of Chicago's premier boulevard. This decade saw Michigan Avenue, known as the "Magnificent Mile," lined with grand hotels, department stores, and cultural landmarks. The avenue was a vibrant artery of commerce and tourism, attracting both locals and visitors. The aerial perspective highlights the blend of historic and modern buildings, the busy traffic, and the well-manicured streetscapes. Michigan Avenue's prominence as a central thoroughfare for business, shopping, and entertainment is evident in this panoramic view, capturing the essence of mid-20th-century Chicago. Whitney Elam Hill sharedGreat view! Before the Water Place and John Hancock. |
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| US City Views posted Lake Shore Drive Chicago (1930) In 1930, Lake Shore Drive in Chicago was a scenic boulevard that ran along the city’s lakefront, offering stunning views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline. Originally designed as a pleasure drive, Lake Shore Drive was a popular route for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. The road connected various parks and beaches along the lakefront, providing easy access to the city’s recreational areas. By 1930, Lake Shore Drive had become an important transportation artery, facilitating the movement of people and goods through the city. The drive’s combination of natural beauty and urban sophistication made it one of Chicago’s most iconic thoroughfares. Paul Jevert shared Lake Shore Drive, the Drake, and Palmolive Building Philip Wizenick: Lake Shore Drive is a street. The Outer Drive is the limited access highway between it and the lakefront. |
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| Patrick McParland posted The Palmolive Building, formerly the Playboy Building and presently The Palmolive Building once again. Completed in 1929, it was designated as a landmark in the year 2000 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. This is to be one of the finest representations of the Art Deco architectural style in the world. Strange, but the building has two separate addresses: 919 N. Michigan Avenue for the building itself, and 159 E. Walton for the residence entrance. The famous Lindbergh Beacon used to guide planes to Midway airport but high-rise residents grew tired of being blinded by the light. It was then adjusted to a partial rotation, but remains as quite the landmark. You can purchase a 5,500 sq. ft. ‘apartment’ on the 37th floor for a cool 9.9 million dollars. And that’s a steal. Last week it was offered at 10.9 million dollars. (pat’s photo) Barry Lukoff: The beacon could be seen by aircraft as far away as St. Louis. Stuart Pearson: On a clear night you can see the Beacon Light Offshore of Milwaukee. Karen Samel: Water Tower Place has a separate address for the condos, as does the John Hancock building condos. Susan Jacobs: Vince Vaughn's property I believe. |
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| Zachary Taylor Davis - Chicago Architect posted “Tower Town” c. 1950. Shaw, Metz & Dolio’s new building for Bonwit Teller (I. Magnin in 1971) can be seen in the background with its original windows. [Looking north with the ?/Playboy/Palmolive Building in the background.] |
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| Vanished Chicago posted Chicago Water Tower and Palmolive Building at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, May 24, 1949. Photograph by Hedrich-Blessing. |
This view shows that the Palmolive Building was one of the taller buildings during WWII.
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| Taylor Rosen posted Chicago, Illinois circa 1945. |
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| Pat McCarthy posted Found this while going thru old photos...took it fro the Hancock Bldg in 1970’s Gary Enochs There was a rotating beacon on the Playboy building. When the John Hancock building was built they had to put a shield on the beacon so the light wouldn’t shine in the windows I’d the Hancock building. Pat McCarthy Formerly the Palmolive Building with the “Lindbergh Beacon” on top. William Gates I remember when the Prudential building was the tallest. Jonathan Billig The beacon is still there, but it doesn't rotate. It just shines out onto the lake. Jennifer Scott-Wallace Jonathan Billig it still does rotate but it’s certain times that it does turn just seen it myself like last year so I looked it up |
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| Photo via Airscapes |
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| Paul Jevert shared Holiday lighting at the Palmolive Building. December 22, 1950. Photograph by Hedrich-Blessing. |
I don't see the north side very often.
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| Chicago Epic posted The Drake, Palmolive Building and Two Prudential Building, shot from North Ave Beach. |
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| Original Chicago posted View of the Buckingham Fountain on its opening day for the 1968 summer season and the John Hancock building under construction in the background, Chicago, Illinois. 05-20-1968 Whitney Elam Hill shared Double whammy! Two Chicago landmarks being born and ignited in the same shot. I love this city. |
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